TRUTH REVEALED | Why do DOCTORS leave the MIDDLE EAST?

Summary

This video explores why doctors are leaving the Middle East despite attractive salaries and tax-free incentives. Doctors cite reasons like professional stagnation, lack of career growth, and poor work-life balance. Social factors include high cost of living, no long-term citizenship options, and limited educational opportunities for children. The video also discusses the types of doctors migrating to the Middle East and the specialties they're leaving, emphasizing the need for long-term solutions like moving to Western countries for better prospects.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Doctors from various countries are attracted to the Middle East for tax-free salaries, proximity to home, and a good social life.
• 💼 High demand for medical professionals in the Middle East, especially in countries like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
• 🏥 The majority of doctors registered for emergency medicine and other specialist services are from Middle Eastern countries.
• 📈 The trend of doctors moving from the Middle East to countries like Australia is increasing, with many seeking better career prospects and quality of life.
• 👨‍⚕️ Three main types of doctors migrate to the Middle East: General Practitioners (GPs), Specialists, and Consultants from Western countries.
• 💼 The salaries in the Middle East can range from $120,000 to $300,000 USD per year, depending on the country, specialty, and experience.
• 📉 Reasons for leaving the Middle East include professional stagnation, lack of career growth, and job insecurity.
• 🏢 Some doctors feel overworked and undervalued, leading to a desire for better work-life balance and professional recognition.
• 🌐 The lack of long-term citizenship options and visa issues for older children are significant concerns for doctors considering the future.
• 📚 Limited educational opportunities for children and the high cost of living are also factors driving doctors to seek opportunities elsewhere.
• 🌱 Doctors from non-Arab backgrounds may feel like second-class citizens, facing discrimination and inequality in the workplace.

Q & A

Why are doctors considering leaving the Middle Eastern countries?

Doctors are considering leaving the Middle Eastern countries due to various professional and social reasons such as lack of career growth, resentment from busy work environments, job insecurity, lack of proper training structures, rising inflation, poor work-life balance, limited long-term citizenship options, concerns over children's education, and issues with equality.

What are the three types of doctors migrating to the Middle East?

The three types of doctors migrating to the Middle East are General Practitioners (GPs), Specialists, and Consultants. GPs include Family Medicine doctors or Junior doctors with some experience in their home countries. Specialists are doctors from countries like Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Pakistan, India who have completed postgraduate training. Consultants are usually from Western countries and have completed their specialist training and exams in their home countries or predominantly in Middle Eastern countries.

What are the common reasons for doctors to leave their home countries to work in the Middle East?

Doctors commonly leave their home countries for work in the Middle East due to better salaries, tax-free incentives, better lifestyle, and sometimes for career progression linked to exams and experience.

What are the top reasons for doctors leaving their positions in Middle Eastern hospitals?

The top reasons for doctors leaving their positions in Middle Eastern hospitals include professional reasons such as deskilling, lack of career growth, resentment from busy work environments, job insecurity, and lack of proper training structures. Social reasons include rising inflation, poor work-life balance, no long-term citizenship options, children's education concerns, and issues with equality.

What are the typical salaries for doctors in various Middle Eastern countries?

The typical annual salaries for doctors in Middle Eastern countries vary but are generally reported as follows: United Arab Emirates $150,000 to $300,000, Saudi Arabia $120,000 to $250,000, Qatar $140,000 to $280,000, Kuwait $130,000 to $260,000, and Oman $110,000 to $230,000. These figures can include benefits such as housing allowances, health insurance, educational allowances for children, and sometimes even tickets back and forth from the primary country of origin.

What are the professional reasons that doctors cite for leaving the Middle East?

Professional reasons cited by doctors for leaving the Middle East include deskilling due to low volume of cases, lack of career growth, resentment from busy work environments, job insecurity, and lack of proper training structures leading to certification of completion of specialist training and specialization.

What are the social reasons that doctors cite for leaving the Middle East?

Social reasons cited by doctors for leaving the Middle East include rising inflation leading to high cost of living, poor work-life balance, long working hours, no long-term citizenship options, children's education concerns, visa issues for older children, and issues with equality.

What are the common Specialties that doctors are leaving from in the Middle East?

The common Specialties that doctors are leaving from in the Middle East include General Medicine, Radiology, Orthopedic Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anesthesia, Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Dermatology, Psychiatry, General Surgery, and Pediatrics.

What are the implications of the lack of proper training structures for doctors in the Middle East?

The lack of proper training structures implies that doctors may not have the opportunity to advance their careers or specialize further. It can lead to resentment and a lack of long-term career prospects, which may prompt doctors to seek opportunities in countries with better training and specialization programs.

How does the high cost of living in some Middle Eastern countries affect doctors considering leaving?

The high cost of living in some Middle Eastern countries, especially in capital cities, can erode the value of the high salaries offered to doctors. This can lead to financial dissatisfaction and a desire to seek opportunities in countries where their salaries have more purchasing power.

What are the long-term prospects that doctors are seeking when they consider leaving the Middle East?

Doctors are seeking long-term prospects such as higher specialist qualifications that are well-recognized, citizenship opportunities, and the freedom to live and work in more equitable societies when they consider leaving the Middle East. They often look towards countries like the US, UK, Canada, or Australia for these prospects.